"Your mother is with our Lord now and at peace. She blessed so many people while alive and I will always remember her kindness and how much she loved you 'kids'. "
In loving memory of
Marlene Marie Berndt
September 22, 1926 - August 12, 2022
Marlene Marie Berndt the daughter of Christ and Olga (Jensen) Jensen, was born on September 22, 1926 in Laurel Nebraska. She died at Hallmar Nursing facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Friday August 12, 2022 at 3:05 a.m. at the age of ninety-five years, ten months and twenty-one days.
Marlene was born at home in Laurel, Nebraska. She was baptized and later confirmed in her faith at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Laurel. She grew up in the Laurel area and attended public school there. In her later teens, she moved to Western Iowa and was employed in several positions until she met her future husband. She was united in marriage to Frank Berndt on September 23, 1945 at his parents' family farm.
They farmed around Monona and Crawford County for thirty-six years until they moved to Denison in 1981. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Mike and Sandy.
Marlene started working at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital, shortly after they moved to Denison, as a cook in the dietary department. She was very proud of her accomplishments and was known for her cooking skills. After retirement, Marlene and Frank enjoyed traveling throughout the West and North Central United States, until his health declined. She was a devoted caregiver to Frank and was a frequent visitor and volunteer at the Denison Care Center during his stay.
She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church including Ladies Aid, baking pies and providing food whenever asked. Marlene was also active in 4-H and was a member of the Crawford County 4-H Extension Council.
Due to health issues, Marlene moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 2017 to be closer to her daughter. She became a much-loved member of the Cedar Rapids community and continued to share her love of baking with her care team. Marlene continued to be a caregiver for other residents and she shared that one of her greatest regrets was not becoming a nurse.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Frank Berndt in 2005; and two brothers: Marvin (Shirley) Jensen and Bob (Janice) Jensen. She is survived by her son, Mickael Berndt (Marlene) of Ponderay, Idaho; daughter: Sandy (Brad) Grimm of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren: Justin (Amanda) Berndt of Ankeny, Brock Grimm (Dana) of Cedar Rapids, Zeb Grimm and Joziah Grimm both of Cedar Rapids; two great-grandchildren: Oliver Berndt and Everett Grimm, two brothers: Ronald (Claudia) Berndt of Peoria, Arizona and Charles (Barb) Berndt of Aurora, Missouri; and many other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. with funeral service to follow, starting at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, all at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. Funeral services will be led by Pastor Kurt Kaiser with Karen Kahl as organist. Interment will follow in Crawford Heights Memory Gardens. Memorials may be directed to the family for a nursing scholarship.
Tributes
"We are so sorry to hear about Marlene. We?ve thought of her often. We so loved her and Glen! Glen took such good care of her and they were the sweetest couple! We will never forget either of them. -Tara and Noah"
"Dear Mike and Sandy, I still visualize Marlene and her friend, Glen, coming to church on Saturday nights at Zion. Rarely missing a service, Marlene was always so beautifully dressed. She loved her church. I'm so pleased that her funeral can be held in the sanctuary, after several years of it being closed. And I so enjoyed all the photos you posted; in some she reminds me of Pastor Heck's wife, Charlene, from the early 1980s. I didn't know she had been a Ladies Aid member; I recently joined and will keep her faithful service in mind as our group carries on. As a fellow 1966 DHS class member, Butch sends sympathy and greetings to Mike. And, Sandy, I remember when you joined choir in your high school years. You and Mike carry on your mom's faith and legacy. You have our sympathy and prayers! Butch and Renee Miller, Denison"
"I want to thank you Aunt Marlene for your kindness and love..one of my fondest memories is ..of me hiding in the lower cabinet as the adults gossip and shared recipes as they fixed the meal..I learn alot from those gatherings.. Love and prayers sent out to all that were part of Aunties life...she is missed "